Board authorizes emergency food services contract with Whitson's Foods after cafeteria staff raise concerns

The Thompson Board of Education on Dec. 9 authorized Superintendent Melinda A. Smith and staff member William Steglitz to sign an emergency food services contract with Whitson's Foods for the remainder of the school year provided the contract amount does not exceed the current budgeted amount by more than 5 percent. The board's approval was unanimous.

The action follows the announced retirement of Lisa Durand, the district's Food Services Director, at month‑end and a committee review of candidates that left the district seeking outside management. Melinda A. Smith told the board she reached out to Whitson's Foods and that a company representative outlined services and an emergency contract proposal.

Cafeteria staff attended the meeting to address the board. Christine Murphy, who identified herself as having worked in the school cafeteria for 23 years, said employees were present to answer questions about the Food Services Director position and that staff are hopeful a contractual agreement will be successful. "I have worked in the school cafeteria for 23 years," Murphy said, and staff said they wanted continuity while the district transitions leadership.

The authorization includes an explicit financial condition: if the Whitson's proposal would increase the district's food services cost by more than 5 percent over the currently budgeted amount, the board will call a special meeting to consider the contract. The motion to authorize the superintendent and William Steglitz to sign the contract was made by Thomas Angelo and seconded by William Witkowski.

The board did not adopt an exact contract amount at the meeting; the authorization allows district administrators to finalize terms within the stated budget limit. The action is intended to maintain food service continuity through the end of the school year while the district pursues a longer‑term staffing solution.